George W. Johnson
George W. Johnson - Son of Edward C. and Jane Hooker Johnson, was born in Marion County, Indiana, December 2, 1832. He resided in his birthplace until he was twenty years of age, and received his education at the seminary of Indianapolis. He afterwards learned the printer's trade, in the Indiana Sentinel office. He then bought the old Police Gazette of Indianapolis, and moved it to Bloomfield, Iowa, and there published a paper under the title of the Western Gazette, and issued the first copy June 1,1852. He continued in this enterprise for one year, and sold out and engaged in the hotel business, buying out the old American Hotel, located in the above place, and remained in this business until 1857. He also, in connection with the hotel, run a stage line from Bloomfield, Davis County, to Appanoose County, Iowa. In 1857 he moved back to his birthplace and engaged in general trade, keeping store in the old Bates House, of Indianapolis, and there remained for two years, when he once more returned to Bloomfield, Iowa, and bought a farm, and continued in agricultural pursuits until the breaking out of the war. He then served in the State militia for about two months; and August 13,1861, he enlisted in the 3d Iowa Cavalry, being elected Sergeant-Major of the regiment; and then, for meritorious and gallant conduct at the battle of Pea Ridge, March 6, 7 and 8, 1862, he received from Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa, through the recommendation of General Sigel, his commission as First Lieutenant of Co. "M," 3d Regiment; and May 3,1864, he received his commission from Governor Stone as Captain of his company. He took part in all the engagements and vicissitudes that his regiment participated in. At the close of the war Captain Johnson, through the recommendation of General Winslow,for valuable services on the march and at the battles of Selma, Alabama, and Macon, Georgia, was promoted to Brevet-Major of his regiment Major Johnson was the first Federal officer that took possession of Hot Springs, Arkansas. From this point he went to Little Rock, where the regiment re-enlisted for three years; and they at that time, on account of having served three years, were granted a furlough for thirty days. At the expiration of that time they reassembled at Camp Bankin, at Keokuk, Iowa, and went down the river to St. Louis. At the latter place Major Johnson was appointed inspector of cavalry horses, and transferred to Indianapolis, and remained there one month, inspecting horses for Sherman's cavalry. From there he joined his regiment at St. Louis, and proceeded to Memphis, Tennessee. He left Memphis December 23,1864, and went to Louisville to join an expedition that was fitting out under General Wilson, to go up the Columbia Biver to Gravelly Springs, and they had some severe engagements on their route. When peace was declared, he was appointed as citizen commissary of the State of Georgia, with headquarters at Atlanta, arriving there May 6,1865, where it was his duty to issue rations to the destitute poor of the State. This important position he held for three months. At the end of that time he was ordered to Davenport, Iowa, where, August 19,1865, after a meritorious and honorable career as a soldier, he was discharged. During his long term of service, Major Johnson was only once wounded. He at once returned to Bloomfield, Iowa, and immediately sold his ranch and moved to Corvallis, Oregon, and engaged in the hotel business. Remaining there only a short time, he moved to Portland, and from thence to Calistoga, and became proprietor of the Cosmopolitan Hotel of that place, and run this hotel for three years. He then took charge of the famous Calistoga Hot Springs Hotel, and afterward sold it for the Sacramento Bank to Colonel Tichenor. He then moved to his present beautiful place of twenty acres situated in the town of Calistoga, and is enjoying the remembrances of a well-spent life. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Mary E. Kittleman, who was born in Indianapolis February 1,1833. By this union they have three children: Geo. F., born April 12,1853; Charles E., born February 8,1856, and Annie L., born September 22,1865.
History of Napa and Lake Counties,: San Francisco, Cal.: Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers, 1881
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February, 2007 Pages 501-502
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Last updated February 2007